39 Countries Worldwide Face Food Crises
May 05 2006 - 10:54AM
PR Newswire (US)
World Cereal Production Forecast to Decrease Slightly in 2006
WASHINGTON and ROME, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide, 39 countries
are in need of external food assistance -- the majority required
for drought-affected and chronically food insecure populations in
southern and eastern Africa, according to a new FAO report released
today. World cereal production is forecast to decrease slightly in
2006 after last year's good levels, the report said. The report
warns that if global cereal use in 2006/2007 remains close to
recent trends it would exceed the current forecast for production,
which could lead to a drawdown of global cereal stocks for the
second consecutive year. Africa The greatest number of food
emergencies continues to be in Africa, where 24 countries are
currently in need of assistance, largely due to adverse weather
conditions, conflict and economic crisis. In eastern Africa, recent
rains have somewhat eased drought conditions in pastoral areas of
Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti, but nearly 8 million people
are still suffering from the effects of prolonged drought. When the
chronically vulnerable populations in these countries are included,
the number of people at risk from hunger jumps to about 16 million,
FAO says. In Sudan and Eritrea, despite this year's good harvests,
large numbers of people continue to require humanitarian assistance
as a consequence of past and current conflicts, the report said. In
southern Africa, the difficult food situation of some 12 million
people has eased with the current good 2006 cereal harvest and food
aid distributions. The 2006 main maize crop, currently being
gathered, is anticipated to recover from last year's drought with
the exception of Angola. In South Africa, lower production this
year is compensated by large remaining stocks from 2004/2005. In
western Africa, the 2005/2006 cereal crop was estimated at above
average levels in both coastal and Sahelian countries, mainly
reflecting favourable growing conditions during the season. In the
Sahel countries, however, in spite of a recovery from last year's
drought and locust-affected harvest, a combination of low incomes,
high debts and relatively high food prices is limiting access to
food by many households, and malnutrition rates remain alarmingly
high in numerous areas. Asia In Asia, the outlook for the 2006
wheat crop being harvested has deteriorated in India, but it is
positive among other main producers in the region. Emergency
assistance is needed in Mongolia and Timor-Leste following sharply
reduced cereal production in 2005/2006. Substantial amounts of food
assistance are also required for chronically vulnerable populations
in DPR Korea and Bangladesh, in spite of overall improved food
supply situations, as well as for those affected by civil strife in
Afghanistan, Iraq and Nepal, the report said. Protracted assistance
also continues to be required for the victims of the tsunami in
southern Asia and last October's earthquake in Pakistan. Latin
America and the Caribbean In Latin America and the Caribbean, 2006
wheat output is anticipated to be substantially up in Mexico.
Sharply reduced maize output is forecast in Argentina, but
production will recover in Brazil. However, Brazil's rice crop is
expected to be well below the record level of 2005. In Paraguay,
the soybean crop will again be sharply reduced by dry weather. 2006
global cereal crop prospects Wheat output is expected to decrease
in 2006 reflecting smaller crops in the United States, the Russian
Federation and Ukraine, due to adverse weather. Production of
coarse grains is tentatively forecast to decline, mostly as a
result of reduced plantings anticipated in the United States. Rice
output may increase as very early prospects are favourable,
according to the report. Crop Prospects and Food Situation
consolidates and replaces two previous FAO Global Information and
Early Warning System (GIEWS) publications, Foodcrops and Shortages
and the Africa Report. Scheduled to be published six times a year,
it will provide information on the latest developments affecting
global cereal supply and demand, as well as regional overviews of
the crop prospects and food security situation, including a list of
countries in crisis requiring external assistance, and the cereal
balance position of low-income food-deficit countries. DATASOURCE:
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations CONTACT:
Michael Hage, Regional Information Officer, of the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, +1-202-653-0011,
Cell: +1-202-468-8800, Web site:
http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom
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